Craving My stepbrother

Chapter 3

[Hazel]

The next morning, I woke up early, feeling a mix of nerves and anger as I got ready for school. I dress in my usual uniform - a pair of red skirts, white shirts, and a red blazer- and head downstairs to grab some breakfast.

As I was pouring myself a bowl of cereal, Ezekiel strolled into the kitchen, looking like he just stepped out of a fashion magazine. He's wearing a designer shirt and expensive-looking pants, and his hair is perfectly styled. His uniform looked like it was designed specially for him as usual.

"Hey, Hazel," he said, barely acknowledging me as he poured himself a cup of coffee. "You're really going to wear that to school? How...quaint."

I rolled my eyes, used to his condescending attitude by now. "Hey, at least I'm not trying to show off like some people," I retorted, gesturing to his fancy outfit.

Ezekiel smirked. "Someone's got to represent the family's style and sophistication. You can't expect me to show up in some ratty old bike like you always do."

I glanced out the window, where my trusty bicycle was waiting for me. It may not be fancy, but it gets me where I need to go. "At least I'm not polluting the environment with some gas-guzzling car like you are," I shot back.

Ezekiel snorts. "You're just jealous because you can't afford a car like mine. Well, let me tell you, it's a lot better than riding some old bike like a poor kid and it would be better to take advantage of the situation. Your mom is my dad's sweetheart now, enjoy it while it lasts, golddigger!"

With that, he heads out the door, leaving me to finish my breakfast. I watched as he got into his sleek, black sports car and sped off down the driveway.

It wasn't his fault, it's my mom who wouldn't stop jumping from man to man.

"I hope she breaks up with him before the end of the term." I heaved a sigh as I continued eating my cereal.

After eating, I grabbed my backpack and headed out to my bike, feeling a sense of freedom and independence as I pedaled off towards school.

As I rode, I couldn't help but wonder what the day would bring. Will Ezekiel continue to taunt me, or will we finally find some common ground? I hope someone finds out I and Ezekiel are now step-siblings. I definitely do not want to get involved with him in school.

As I arrived at school, I felt a sense of dread washing over me. Ezekiel pulled into the parking lot in his sleek sports car, and instantly, a crowd of girls surrounded him, giggling and flirting shamelessly.

Him being the school basketball captain doesn't make him a celebrity or something. I rolled my eyes as I locked up my bike and made my way towards the entrance.

I shook my head in disbelief as I made my way through the throng of admirers, trying not to draw attention to myself. But of course, Ezekiel noticed me anyway, and his eyes flickered towards me with a condescending smirk.

"Hey, Hazel, looking a little out of place, aren't you?" he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

He walked towards me. "Maybe you should try harder to fit in, huh?" He used his index finger to push me.

The girls surrounding him titter and snickered, and I felt my face flush with embarrassment. But I refused to let him get under my skin. Instead, I flashed him a sweet smile.

"Hey, Ezekiel, looking a little full of yourself, aren't you?"

Ezekiel's eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to a snarl. "Why shouldn't I be full of myself, Hazel? You and I only care about money and status. The only difference is I was born with a silver spoon while you and your mom have to scam people every time, golddigger." He smiled and everyone in the hallway was staring at me.

My heart skipped a beat as I quickly covered his mouth with my hand, my eyes darting around the hallway to make sure no one had heard him. "Shh, Ezekiel! Shut up!"

I pulled him into an empty class and shut the door.

His eyes widened in surprise, but I held firm, my grip on his mouth tightening. "You have no right to say that," I hissed. "And you know why."

Ezekiel's expression changed, a hint of guilt flashing across his face before he struggled free from my grasp. "I can't know why Hazel, I'm not a golddigger. You're just trying to hide the truth, Hazel," he spat, his voice low. "You're not who everyone thinks you are. You and your mom are jumping from one family to another."

My heart raced as I grabbed his arm, pulling him close. "Don't say another word, Ezekiel," I warned, my voice barely audible. "You know the consequences."

The hallway was silent, everyone watching our intense exchange from the door.

He tried to push me away but I held on to him and we got closer. Our bodies touched, and a sudden jolt of electricity ran through me. I felt a strange sensation like our hearts were beating in sync. Ezekiel's eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, we just stared at each other.

Then, without thinking, I pulled him closer, our faces inches apart. The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us. And in that moment, I felt it - the mate bond. It was like a spark had ignited, connecting us on a deep, primal level.

Ezekiel's eyes widened, and he pulled back, looking at me with a mix of shock and awe. "Hazel...You're my mate?"

My heart raced as I nodded, my voice barely a whisper. "I know. I feel it too."

"Damn! Why do I have to be so unlucky?" He glared.

We stood there, frozen, as the realization sank in. Enemies turned mates. It was unthinkable. Yet, the bond between us was undeniable.

The classroom door creaked open, and our teacher, Mrs. Jenkins, walked in. "Ah, Hazel, Ezekiel, I see you're...discussing something intensely."

I felt my face flush, but Ezekiel just smiled, his eyes never leaving mine. "Yeah, Mrs. Jenkins. We were just...debating."

Mrs. Jenkins raised an eyebrow but said nothing, leaving us to our strange, new reality.

We went to class and I just sat without listening to what the teacher was saying. I and Ezekiel being mates took a toll on me. The bell jolted me back to reality indicating the end of the class

As the students filed out, Ezekiel turned to me, his expression cold. "Hazel, just because we're mates doesn't mean I'll accept you."

My heart sank, but I tried to appear calm. "What do you mean?"

Ezekiel sneered. "You're not exactly the type of mate I had in mind. You're...beneath me and I don't do golddiggers"

I felt a sting from his words, but I refused to show it. "You're still stuck on your high horse, huh? I don't want you either."

Ezekiel shrugged. "I have standards, Hazel. And you don't meet them."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me feeling rejected and humiliated.

I stood there, frozen, as the classroom emptied. I couldn't believe what had just happened. We were mates, yet he refused me. The mate bond was supposed to be sacred and unbreakable. But Ezekiel had just broken it. Did I just get rejected?